With four long-term owners since its first in 1963, this Ami 6 has for nearly 30 years lived in the UK, where it was expensively refurbished and repainted in the 1990s by well-known Citroen/ Panhard enthusiasts and has been regularly maintained and driven ever since.
The body has all its original steel panels, and both it and the chassis are free of corrosion.
The refurbishment included retrimming the interior in the correct Jersey material, which has worn well and remains taut. It has not been detailed in any way under the bonnet, so the mechanics present in workaday condition.
I fitted a crated NOS factory 602cc engine a few years ago, but the tired original 'matching numbers' unit comes with the car, along with the standard equipment cold weather air intake muff, jack, tools, owner's technical guide, a roll of unused seat fabric and a crate of rare spares.
Weighing only 600kg, the Ami 6 is a classic of mid-century industrial design in France and the cleverest (and most comfortable) articulation of Citroen's flat twin concept.
This is a totally solid, well cared-for example on new Michelins and a new exhaust, and with detailed history. It doesn't leak, smoke, wander or jump out of gear, and stops straight and true.
In all, a charismatic (and nowadays, rare) thing, and as the model name implies, it's impossible not to like.
I’ve had it since 1997, and every trip has been a delight.
Reason for sale: downsizing. Also selling a superb Losson-restored 1958 ID16 in black with fibreglass roof.
Good ones at auction in France make upwards of 25K euros nowadays; this one's in Sussex and priced to sell at a piffling £15K.